Chapter 71: Mutual obedience in the monastery

Obedience is of such value that it should be shown not only to the superior but all members of the community should be obedient to each other in the sure knowledge that this way of obedience is the one that will take them straight to God. (From para. 1 of Ch. 71 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

Saint Benedict's instruction to be mutually obedient opens my eyes in a new way today. Mutual obedience says something to me about finding my place in the universe, and finding the universe within me. In this sense, obedience involves a mutual gaze, mutual recognition, and total presence. This kind of obedience sees with the eyes of love.